OUCH! Fire Coral....please help!

[mermaid8773]

Glad to know I'm not the only one. It's about 3 weeks ago and it is itchin' like crazy!!!! At least I know now what it looks like on a mooring line.

I want dive gloves for Christmas.....

Big Hugs~

Alix

 

[mermaid8773]

So......is the peeling of the skin off my hands normal?

It is peeling as if blistered/sunburned....hmmmmmmmm.....

Just curious!

Big Hugs~

Alix

 

[FredT]

On a mooring line it likely was a hydroid colony, not necessarily a fire coral hydroid. The hydroids almost all carry a neurotoxin as well as the other toxins normal in true coral sting. A really bad sting in the palms of the hands is possible because of the delay in noticing it under water. You have to REALLY be burned before the palms notice it. I had one a couple years ago I got during a working dive that robbed me of most of the feeling in my hands for about 6 months. The "peeling" is normal on a bad burn, and may happen more than once on a palm or foot sole burn. A normal skin burn has the progression from pain to open sore to healing happen at much faster rate. I found normal anti-allergy treatments worked on the palm burns, including topical cortizone and benadryl treatments.

A fresh burn can be treated by coating the burn with the mucus from a Queen conch, then shaving the mucus off a couple hours later. The mucus contains an antitoxin for most hydroid and coral stings that will save you the long duration problems you are experincing, as well as provide a nice cracked conch salad.

FT

 

[mermaid8773]

Wow...great advice...thanks a bunch!

Lesson learned, for sure!

Big Hugs~

Alix

 

[lildumpling]

hmmm, I had a small brush with fire coral about 4 weeks ago in Aruba...I just got certified, and was checking out a family of spiny lobsters under a ship wreck (sideways and body horizontal with full control over buoyancy!!!), when a curious buddy diver (and newbie also) came up from behind and kicked up a bunch of sand...and ME! My hand hit the ground for a moment (which looked liked sand only...) but when I continued diving, I kept scratching my left hand (on the bottom left of my palm). I thought I got a cut or something...but then the red welt popped up when I got back onto the boat. It is about an inch long, and smart me kept rubbing it, thinking that it will feel better. Anyway - now I hardly feel it, but every once in a while, I will feel tingly sensations, or pins and needles, and then it just stops...comes n goes....

Can I do anything about it? it's been almost 4 weeks since it has happened!!!

Thanks!

lildumpling

 

[scubajoh44]

Mine lasted 2 years. I'de like to know any tricks so if it ever happens again....it won't be so bad. But believe me, I'm gonna do all I can so it doesn't happen anymore!

 

[Walter]

That's not normal. Fire coral is usually a minor irritation and usually lasts about a day. If it last longer or is worse than a mild itch, I'd see a doctor.

It's best, as you've discovered, to avoid fire coal entirely, but if you ever do brush it, simply fan the affected area with sea water. Do not touch the burn, but fan water over it. Do this as soon as you realize what's happened and continue the process from time to time during the dive. Usually, all signs & symptoms except a mild redness are gone by the end of the dive. If you touch the affected area before you fan it, fanning won't work.

 

[Hank49]

A fresh burn can be treated by coating the burn with the mucus from a Queen conch, then shaving the mucus off a couple hours later. The mucus contains an antitoxin for most hydroid and coral stings that will save you the long duration problems you are experincing, as well as provide a nice cracked conch salad.

FT

I agree about it being some hydrozoan. They grow quick in submerged lines. I've never heard the conch slime treatment though. I'll have to try it. I do get stung now and then rooting around in holes for fish or lobsters...my arm, my head...I'm going to look good with a big bald patch after shaving it off my head. I guess I'll just trim it on into a mohawk.